‘Harrased’, Sirsa jail warder ends life; FIR registered against 2 prison officials

Hisar: A jail warder posted at Sirsa District Jail allegedly died by suicide. The deceased has been identified as Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Hijrawan Khurd village in Fatehabad district.He had been working as a warder at Sirsa Jail for the last seven years, said the police.Sukhdev has left behind two suicide notes, accusing senior officers of mental harassment. An FIR was registered against two jail officials, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), following a complaint by the deceased's son, said the police.Sukhdev consumed poison Thursday evening and succumbed during treatment later in the night, they added.Before taking the extreme step, Sukhdev reportedly called his son, Jaspal, stating that he was ending his life due to continuous harassment by jail DSP Varun Godara and line officer Phool Kumar. One of the suicide notes reportedly stated: "I lost to these brutes. Take care of yourself and your mother."A suicide note addressed to the director general of prisons and the superintendent of prisons was recovered from the deceased's bag. Acting on a complaint filed by Jaspal, Sirsa Civil Lines police registered a case against DSP Godara and line officer Phool Kumar for allegedly abetting the suicide.According to Jaspal, his father called him around 5 pm Thursday and informed him that he had consumed poison. The family rushed to the spot within an hour. Sukhdev was first taken to the Civil Hospital and later referred to a private hospital, where he died during treatment.Jaspal alleged that his father was subjected to mental harassment for the last 10-15 days. He further stated that Sukhdev was a heart patient with two stents implanted.The complainant stated that on Dec 31, Sukhdev had an argument with jail officials over a change in duty. Following this, he was sent for a medical examination at the Civil Hospital on suspicion of alcohol consumption and was recalled to the jail on Jan 1. Although he reportedly apologised to the officials, it is alleged that the apology was not accepted and he was made to stand on duty for long hours.In his first suicide note, addressed to senior prison and police officials, Sukhdev wrote that he had been suffering from heart disease for the last six years. He alleged that on Dec 14, he requested the DSP not to assign him night duty, which angered the officer.Sukhdev claimed that he was harassed for the next 15 days and again abused on Dec 31. He wrote that despite apologising on New Year's Day, he was made to stand on duty throughout the day and was not formally assigned work.In the second note, addressed to the jail superintendent, Sukhdev wrote that he apologised publicly on New Year's Day and that the guards also pleaded on his behalf. However, he alleged, the line officer continued to harass him, forcing him to take the extreme step.Jaspal also claimed that his father was subjected to caste-based abuse, which further pushed him towards suicide.